Data broadcasting system and method for distributing data from one or more content providers to personal computers

ABSTRACT

Improved data broadcasting systems  10  and methods  60  that distribute data to personal computers  16 . The architecture of the data broadcasting system includes a content acquisition management system  20  having a publishing element  25 , a broadcasting element  26 , and a subscribing element  27 . The publishing element packages data and data processing instructions for broadcast. The broadcasting element broadcasts the packaged data and data processing instructions. The subscribing element receives the packaged data from the broadcasting element and processes the data in accordance with the data processing instructions contained in the received data. An exemplary data distribution method comprises the following steps. Data and data processing instructions are packaged  61  for broadcast. The packaged data and data processing instructions are broadcast  62 . The packaged data and data processing instructions are received  63  at remotely located personal computers. The received data are processed  64  at the remotely located personal computers in accordance with the data processing instructions.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates generally to data distributionsystems and methods, and more particularly, to improved datadistribution systems and methods that use Internet protocol (IP)services to distribute data to personal computers, and wherein data anddata processing instructions are packaged, broadcast, received bypersonal computers, and the data is processed in accordance with thedata processing instructions contained in the received data.

[0002] Hughes Network Systems operates a DirecPC™ satellite-based datadistribution system that is used to distribute data from a contentprovider to client personal computers by way of a satellite. Certaindetails regarding this system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,065entitled “Deferred billing, broadcast, electronic document distributionsystem and method” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,795 entitled “Method andapparatus for an adapter card providing conditional access in acommunication system”.

[0003] However, the DirecPC system does not distribute data usingInternet protocol (IP) addressing. Furthermore, the DirecPC systemexperiences limitations in the rate at which data may be delivered tothe client personal computers. This limitation is caused by therelatively low data throughput rate of the transponders used on thesatellite.

[0004] It would be an improvement to have data distribution systems andmethods that use Internet protocol (IP) services to distribute data topersonal computers. It would also be an improvement to have datadistribution systems and methods that package data along with dataprocessing instructions, broadcast the packaged data and instructions toremotely located computers, and process the data at the remotely locatedcomputers in accordance with the data processing instructions containedin the received data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides for improved data broadcastingsystems and methods that distribute data to personal computers. Thearchitecture of the data broadcasting system comprises a contentacquisition management system that includes a publishing element, abroadcasting element, and a subscribing element.

[0006] The publishing element packages data and data processinginstructions for broadcast. A broadcasting element broadcasts thepackaged data and data processing instructions. A subscribing elementreceives the packaged data from the broadcasting element and processesthe data in accordance with the data processing instructions containedin the received data.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for asatellite-based data distribution system that dynamically manages datadistribution sessions, dynamically controlling the rate and time ofdelivery of the data and dynamically controlling the bandwidth of thechannel that delivers the data to client personal computers. Thisdynamic control provides for faster transfer of data and the ability totransfer large data files more efficiently that previous systems.

[0008] The system implements a secure unicast and multicast datadelivery service that provides the delivery of data, which may involveprescheduled, ad-hoc or on demand broadcasts. Reliable data broadcast isprovided with improved rain fade mitigation and forward errorcorrection. The system permits high speed Internet browsing, receptionof streaming video, audio and data, and private secure networkbroadcasts using hardware-based conditional access.

[0009] The system provides broadband communication to personal computersusing Internet protocols and digital video broadcast technologies. Thesystem thus merges distribution of video and data to personal computersusing a single service.

[0010] An exemplary method that distributes data to remotely locatedpersonal computers comprises the following steps. Data and dataprocessing instructions are packaged for broadcast. The packaged dataand data processing instructions are broadcast. The packaged data anddata processing instructions are received at remotely located personalcomputers. The received data are processed at the remotely locatedpersonal computers in accordance with the data processing instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The various features and advantages of the present invention maybe more readily understood with reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereinlike reference numerals designate like structural elements, and inwhich:

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary data distribution system inaccordance with the principles of the present invention for distributingdata by way of a satellite to personal computers;

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates the architecture of the content acquisitionmanagement system used in the data distribution system of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates the layered nature of the software associatedwith the content acquisition management system of FIG. 2; and

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention that distributes data to remotelylocated personal computers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplarydata distribution system 10 in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention, and is illustrated as a satellite broadcast datadistribution system 10. The system 10 is designed to distribute dataderived from one or more content providers 11 by way of a satellite 14to client personal computers (PCs) 16. One aspect of the system 10 isthat it uses Internet protocol (IP) addressing to distribute the data tothe personal computers 16.

[0017] The system 10 comprises a network operations center 13 thatincludes a data broadcast system (DBS) subsystem 21, a businesssubsystem (IBS) 22, a subscriber management subsystem (SMS) 23, and acontent management subsystem (CMS) 24. One or more content providers 11communicate by way of a direct line 12 a or the Internet 12, forexample, to the network operations center 13. The network operationscenter 13 communicates by way of a satellite 14 to the client personalcomputers 16.

[0018] In typical situations, the client personal computers 16 arecoupled to a server computer 15 by way of a local area network 17, orintranet 17. However, it is to be understood that the use of the servercomputer 15 is not required. A single user standalone,comparably-equipped personal computer 16 may also provide the samefunctionality as the server computer 15. The server computer 15 (or thecomparably-equipped standalone personal computer 16) interfaces to thesatellite 14. This is achieved using a satellite receiver PC card, forexample, disposed in the personal computer 16 or server computer 15. Thepersonal computer 16 or server 15 is also coupled by way of a modem 18to the network operations center 13. The modem 18 provides a low-ratereturn path that is used to transmit requests from the client personalcomputers 16 to the network operations center 13 in order to downloaddata derived from the content providers 11.

[0019] Each of the personal computers 16 includes software 20 comprisinga content acquisition management system 20 that interfaces to thenetwork operations center 13 and the content providers 11. The software20 is used to browse the Internet 12, send requests for data, controldata download sessions, schedule delivery of data, and downloadstreaming audio, video and data to the personal computer 16 in realtime, for example.

[0020] The system 10 and the software 20 cooperate to establish avirtual private multicast network between the content providers 11 andthe client personal computer 16. The system 10 and the software 20cooperate to provide managed electronic data delivery to multiplepersonal computers 16. The system 10 and the software 20 cooperate topermit remote subscriber site management from the network operationscenter 13. The software 20 has an open architecture that permits thirdparty application integration. The system 10 and the software 20cooperate to provide both video and data download services with highefficiency which has heretofore not been provided.

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates the architecture of the content acquisitionmanagement system 20 used in the exemplary satellite broadcast datadistribution system 10 of FIG. 1. The architecture of the contentacquisition management system 20 includes a publishing element 25, abroadcasting element 26, and a subscribing element 27.

[0022] The publishing element 25 packages information for broadcast. Apackage includes any unit of multimedia information that the contentacquisition management system 20 can submit for broadcast. In addition,the package contains two elements, including meta content and content.The meta content specifies attributes associated with content (such astype, expiration, product, and the like). The meta content is used byend users or clients operating their personal computers 16 to subscribe,filter, delete, manage, etc., the delivered content. Packages haveunique identifiers, and are associated with a product. Content is acollection of one or more assets. The content may be a file or a set offiles that are aggregated, and may be compressed or uncompressed.

[0023] A product is something that an end user can “subscribe to” ororder at an advertised time. Each package that is broadcast isassociated with a product. Packages inherit the attributes associatedwith the product, and can extend the information. Products can beassociated with monthly, free to air, and other special billingapproaches. Products are also associated with a content provider 11.Products are uniquely identified in the content acquisition managementsystem 20.

[0024] Orders are associated with content providers 11 and specificreceivers located in the server computer 15 or personal computers 16.The order provides the basis for file confirmation and billing on aper-transaction basis. Orders have additional attributes not availablewith packages (such as recipients).

[0025] A catalog is a set of files containing programming announcements.The catalogs build a set of announcements used by clients in thesubscription process. The catalogs define such things as valid products,schedule time frames, and network specific information.

[0026] The publishing element 25 includes a provider content softwaremodule 31 that typically resides on a server computer at the contentprovider 11. The software module 31 of the publishing element 25 isconfigured to allow the content provider to schedule content feeds andad-hoc feeds (i.e., emergency or unplanned broadcasts). The softwaremodule 31 of the publishing element 25 allows the content provider 11 todesignate unique content types and implement unique applicationpackaging capabilities. The software module 31 of the publishing element25 may be configured to submit packaged content to specific clients.

[0027] Content may be manually or automatically submitted by the contentprovider 11 using the software module 31 of the publishing element 25.The software module 31 of the publishing element 25 is configured toallow third party applications to be used to submit or publish data forbroadcast by the system 10. Content providers 11 use the software module31 of the publishing element 25 to submit requests for content usage andproposed content submissions. Content may be submitted in real-time orahead of time which allows the content to be stored at the networkoperations center 13 and forwarded to client personal computers 16 atthe designated time.

[0028] The broadcast element 26 comprises a content distributionsoftware engine 33 that is coupled to a data broadcast system 34. Thecontent distribution engine 33 provides the ability to schedulebroadcasts, schedule unplanned broadcasts, and schedulepremium/protected broadcasts. The content distribution engine 33 allowsbroadcast of global/free to air content. The content distribution engine33 tracks and logs all transactions associated with each broadcast andoutputs billing information, along with usage data.

[0029] Content status data 37 is derived from the software module 31 ofthe publishing element 25 and user statistics module 42 in thesubscribing element 27. Client statistics 43 are generated by a StatMansoftware module in the user statistics module 42. A content manager 35processes content information 36 which is input to the contentdistribution engine 33 to control broadcasting of content be eachrespective content provider 11. The content distribution engine 33enables conditional access by clients and content providers 11. Thecontent distribution engine 33 generates program schedules and relaysthe information to the data broadcast system 34 which broadcastsannouncements of schedule.

[0030] The broadcast element 26 provides the ability to store andforward content, which is done using a feed queue 32. The broadcastelement 26 establishes network broadcasting standards for theintegration of data derived from multiple providers 11 within a singularbroadcast.

[0031] The subscribing element 27 includes a client software module 41that allows manual and automatic reception of content by clients andclient personal computers 16. The client software module 41 allows aclient to subscribe to premium/protected broadcasts. The client softwaremodule 41 permits unattended operation. The client software module 41provides for data management of content on local caches located onclient personal computers 16. The client software module 41 provides areference application that manages content reception at the personalcomputers 16. The client software module 41 provides a means tointegrate third party applications into the system 20.

[0032] The client software module 41 receives announcements of programschedules for use in subscribing to receive content. The client softwaremodule 41 gathers and outputs usage data relating to subscriptions forbilling purposes. The client software module 41 utilizes theannouncements to filter and profile the received data. The clientsoftware module 41 provides for real time acquisition of content streamsbased on announcement schedules. The client software module 41 managesdata received from multiple content providers 11 within a singular datamanagement scheme.

[0033]FIG. 3 illustrates the layered nature of the software associatedwith the content acquisition management system 20. The contentacquisition management system 20 contains six cooperative softwarelayers including a transport layer 51, a network layer 52, a servicelayer 53, a presentation layer 54, a content/application layer 55 and auser application specific layer 56. Described below are options undereach of six levels of a transport service taxonomy. Each level providesa set of characteristics to the specific transport service.

[0034] The transport layer 51 provides digital video broadcast transportand broadcast links. The transport layer 51 is implemented using thedata broadcast network (DBN) 21 and software from News Digital Systems(NDS). Transport services provided the transport layer 51 apply to dataleaving the network operations center 13 and destined for clientpersonal computers 16. This is the most complex service provided by thecontent acquisition management system 20, having to do with themechanisms and features associated with broadcasting data from thenetwork operations center 13.

[0035] The content acquisition management system 20 provides free-to-airor conditional access (CA) encrypted services. The free-to-air servicebypasses the encryption capabilities of the NDS conditional accesssystem and is available for reception by all clients. This service mayuse data level encryption, depending on the prerogative of the contentprovider 11 that provides the data, thereby providing some measure ofdata protection without conditional access.

[0036] The encrypted service uses the protection of the NDS conditionalaccess system to prevent unauthorized access to broadcast content. Thiscapability provides a very secure method of transmission and access todata for any combination of subgroups of clients who are entitled toreceive the data. The conditional access encrypted service may also usedata level encryption as an added measure of protection.

[0037] The network interface layer 52 provides virtual Internet protocolunicast and multicast network interfaces. The network interface layer 52implements subscriber (client) management and conditional accessservices.

[0038] Three types of satellite delivery networks may be implemented foruse by clients, including shared networks, common networks, and privatenetworks. These networks define which client sites receive whichspecific content. This information is used to assign virtual channels (atemporary allocation of bandwidth) within the headend of the databroadcast network 21 for purposes of scheduling content for delivery.Through this operation, it is determined how much content (in megabytes)is sent to how many sites using how much bandwidth (in megahertz) and atwhat time of the day. This information is also used for billing clientaccounts.

[0039] A shared network is a network in which several clients share avirtual channel. A common network is a shared virtual channel, butshared only by a single client. A private network is a virtual channeldedicated to a subset of a client's user community, and no other users(internal or external to that client) have access to that privatenetwork. A single user may participate in several shared, common andprivate networks.

[0040] Scheduling, within the data distribution system 10, refers to thecoordination of transponder and conditional access resources (time andbandwidth) for purposes of broadcasting content to clients. Schedulingand delivery parameters associated with content to be delivered aredefined. Parameters to be considered include type of scheduling option,requested time(s) of broadcast, duration of broadcast, and data rate ofbroadcast. These parameters are not applicable to all schedulingoptions. Four types of scheduling options are provided to clients,including prescheduled, reservation, ad-hoc, and on-demand.

[0041] Prescheduled service corresponds to an a priori reservation ofbandwidth within the broadcast schedule. Prescheduled service requires arequested time of broadcast, duration of the broadcast, and therequested data rate of the broadcast.

[0042] Reservation scheduling is similar to the prescheduled service,except that the client reserves time slots for broadcasting of theircontent with the ability to cancel that broadcast at a finite time(e.g., 24 hours) prior to the scheduled broadcast time. Reservationscheduling also requires requested time of broadcast, duration ofbroadcast, and the requested data rate of broadcast.

[0043] Ad-hoc scheduling provides clients with the ability to sendcontent to the network operations center 13 and know that it will bebroadcast within any suitably agreed to amount of time. Typical servicetimes may be for delivery within two, twelve, and twenty-four hours oron a “best effort” basis. Times are measured from the successful receiptof the client's content at the network operations center 13. Ad-hocservice requires the requested broadcast window.

[0044] On-demand scheduling provides the ability for clients to havecontent broadcast almost immediately after arrival of the content at thenetwork operations center 13. Providing this type of service requires adedicated virtual channel. On-demand service requires identification ofcontent as on demand scheduled.

[0045] The service layer 53 provides content packaging and developmentservices. The service layer 53 includes data packaging tools,application program interfaces (APIs), the content acquisitionmanagement system 20 and may include development applications.

[0046] The exemplary data distribution system 10 provides three basicsatellite-based delivery services; 1) file transfer, 2) high-speedbrowsing, and 3) streaming. The file transfer delivery service usespoint-to-multipoint broadcasting (multicasting) to broadcast packagedcontent to multiple sites simultaneously. File transfer delivery isoffered in two transmission modes including one time broadcast andreliable broadcast. Reliable broadcast uses a configurable number ofrebroadcasts to ensure a high likelihood of successful file receipt atthe client personal computers 16. A guaranteed file transfer deliveryservice using receipt acknowledgement may also be provided.

[0047] High speed browsing delivery service provides a satellite-basedforward channel download capability for standard Internet and World WideWeb access. The service uses a terrestrial return path through the modem18 and requires that clients use an Internet Services Providerconnection in that return path. Service levels are determined by thedata rates assigned to the individual client sessions. Two service levelcategories are available including guaranteed rate and best availablerate. Guaranteed rate requires a limit to the number of clients thathave access to the guaranteed rate service at any one time. Clients thatare denied access to guaranteed rate service are defaulted to the bestavailable service. Data rates for the best available service aredetermined by the number of clients at any one time and the amount of apriori transponder bandwidth allocated to this service.

[0048] Streaming delivery service refers to the broadcast of IP-baseddata streams or native MPEG II video streams through a virtual channelallocated on the satellite 14. The streamed information may be viewed atthe time of broadcast or stored on the client personal computers 16 forlater use.

[0049] The presentation layer 54 provides content display on the clientpersonal computers 16. The presentation layer 54 is implemented using acustomized graphical user interface (GUI), and either Microsoft InternetExplorer™ or Netscape Navigator™ browsing applications.

[0050] The content/application layer 55 provides tagging and datamanagement functions. The content/application layer 55 provides XML/HTMLtagging and data management applications.

[0051] The content/application layer 55 provides content submission,hosting and management services. These services relate to how data isbeing delivered to, and stored A content submission utility (CSU) isused that allows content providers 11 and clients to submitpre-formatted content to the network operations center 13. Thepre-formatting is done by the content submission utility and providesthe proper content tags to handle the data in client applications. Thecontent submission utility operates within a standard web browser on theclient personal computers 16 or at the content providers site anddelivers the content via the Internet 12 or other dedicated connectionsas defined for a particular client.

[0052] Dedicated connections and custom feed handlers may be readilydeveloped for content submission requirements that are beyond thecapabilities of the content submission utility. Content submissionconnections include ISDN, fractional or full T1, trusted T1, ATM orother custom approaches. Feed handler development includes interfacingto a client's existing content submission tools and the integration ofthese with the content submission utility.

[0053] Received content is hosted at an FTP site at the networkoperations center 13. Also, package delivery receipts may be hosted on aweb site at the network operations center 13. The following hostingservices may be provided by the system 10 including minimum hosting:with 1 GB reserved FTP space, and a content persistence of 24 hours, orcustom hosting per client requirements.

[0054] A variety of content management services may be provided. Theseservices include content production, aggregation, and quality assurancetesting. These services include content hosting services.

[0055] The user application specific layer 56 provides overlays andinterfaces for client applications. The user application specific layer56 is implemented using content channels and third part applications.

[0056] For the purposes of completeness, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplarymethod 60 in accordance with the principles of the present inventionthat distributes data to remotely located personal computers 16. Dataand data processing instructions are packaged 61 for broadcast. Thepackaged data and data processing instructions are broadcast 62. Thepackaged data and data processing instructions are received 63 at theremotely located personal computers 16. The received data are processed64 at the remotely located personal computers 16 in accordance with thedata processing instructions.

[0057] Thus, improved data distribution systems and methods have beendisclosed that use Internet protocol services to distribute data topersonal computers and that packages data and data processinginstructions, broadcasts the packaged data and instructions to remotelylocated computers, which data is processed at the remotely locatedcomputers in accordance with the data processing instructions. It is tobe understood that the described embodiments are merely illustrative ofsome of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of theprinciples of the present invention. Clearly, numerous and otherarrangements can be readily devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data broadcasting system 10 for distributingdata to personal computers, comprising: a publishing element 25 forpackaging data and data processing instructions for broadcast; abroadcasting element 26 for receiving and broadcasting the packaged dataand data processing instructions; and a subscribing element 27 forreceiving the packaged data processing instructions from the databroadcasting element and for processing the data in accordance with thedata processing instructions.
 2. The system 10 recited in claim 1wherein the publishing element comprises a provider content softwaremodule 31 that allows a content provider to schedule content feeds andad-hoc feeds.
 3. The system 10 recited in claim 2 wherein the publishingelement comprises a provider content software module 31 that allows acontent provider to designate unique content types.
 4. The system 10recited in claim 1 wherein the publishing element comprises a providercontent software module 31 that allows a content provider to manuallyand automatically submit content.
 5. The system 10 recited in claim 1wherein the publishing element comprises a provider content softwaremodule 31 that is configured to allow third party applications to beused to submit or publish data for broadcast.
 6. The system 10 recitedin claim 1 wherein the broadcasting element comprises a contentdistribution software engine 33 coupled to a data broadcast system 34.7. The system 10 recited in claim 6 wherein the content distributionsoftware engine 33 comprises means for scheduling broadcasts, schedulingunplanned broadcasts, scheduling premium/protected broadcasts, andglobal/free to air content broadcasts.
 8. The system 10 recited in claim6 wherein the content distribution software engine 33 tracks and logstransactions associated with each broadcast and outputs billing andusage information relating thereto.
 9. The system 10 recited in claim 6wherein the content distribution engine 33 enables conditional access byclients and content providers
 11. 10. The system 10 recited in claim 6wherein the content distribution engine 33 generates program schedulesand relays the information to the data broadcast system 34 whichbroadcasts announcements of schedule in response thereto.
 11. The system10 recited in claim 6 further comprising a feed queue 32 for storing andforwarding packaged content.
 12. The system 10 recited in claim 1wherein the subscribing element 27 comprises a client software module 41that allows manual and automatic, unattended, reception of packagedcontent, and real time acquisition of content streams based onannouncement schedules.
 13. The system 10 recited in claim 1 wherein thesubscribing element 27 comprises a client software module 41 thatmanages data received from multiple content providers 11 within asingular data management scheme.
 14. A method 60 for distributing datato remotely located personal computers 16, comprising the steps of:packaging 61 data and data processing instructions for broadcast;broadcasting 62 the data and data processing instructions; receiving 63the packaged data and data processing instructions at the remotelylocated personal computers 16; and processing 64 the data at theremotely located personal computers in accordance with the dataprocessing instructions.
 15. The method 60 recited in claim 14 whereinthe data processing instructions include scheduling instruction relatingto content feeds and ad-hoc feeds.
 16. The method 60 recited in claim 14wherein the data processing instructions include scheduling instructionrelating to designation of unique content types.
 17. The method 60recited in claim 14 wherein the data processing instructions includescheduling instruction relating to manual and automatic contentsubmission.
 18. The method 60 recited in claim 14 wherein thebroadcasting step 62 comprises means for scheduling broadcasts,scheduling unplanned broadcasts, scheduling premium/protectedbroadcasts, and global/free to air content broadcasts.
 19. The method 60recited in claim 14 wherein the data processing instructions enableconditional access by clients and content providers
 11. 20. The method60 recited in claim 14 wherein the data processing instructions enablemanual and automatic, unattended, reception of packaged content duringthe processing step 64.